Janet Hamilton Neilson 1873 - 1953
Pioneering Nurse Who Took Care of Tuberculosis Patients
Nurse Janet Hamilton (right) on a house visit (Toronto Archives, Series 474, Subseries 3, File 2, Item 53
The staged picture entitled “Public health nurse Janet Neilson (right) on a home visit” shows the uniform she had to wear: it includes a black bonnet with white streamers. She carried supplies in a market basket.
She lived for most of her life in one of the few Cabbagetown gothic-revival homes on Carlton Street. The house had been built by her father, Hugh Neilson. Janet died in 1953 and hasn’t left Cabbagetown as she is buried in the Necropolis. She is buried with her sister’s family but her name doesn’t appear on the marker.
Hear her talk:
